A CONTRACT WITH THE ALPHA

CHAPTER TWO

****

ASHER BLACKWOOD

My eyes were fixed on the woman standing before me, her piercing green eyes sparklingly with a hint of curiosity. But my mind was elsewhere, it slowly wandered back to the memories of my past.

“ I now pronounce her your mate, Alpha,” the elder's voice echoed in my ear, followed by the thunderous applause and cheers of the pack. But that was the last thing i remembered.

The next morning, i woke up to a nightmare. Saline, my mate, lay lifeless beside me, my whole body was covered with her blood.

The memory still haunt me, it been fifteen years but the pain and guilt etched on my heart like a scar.

I gazed into Mia's eyes, i knew right away, it's saline. She was reincarnated.

I have no idea how or why, but i vow to keep her true identity a secret.

Mia's voice snapped me back to reality. “ I...I... ” she stuttered, her eyes searching for words.

I turned my expression cold, “ I will give you seven days to think about it. I will reach out to you .” I said, my voice firm.

I asked the driver to turn, exiting the car before she could respond.

The drive home was a blur, my mind was consumed with different thoughts. How could saline be reincarnated as a human? And why did she seems to have no memory of me? But it's all good, i just need to keep quiet, no matter the cost, i won't let her know who she is.

As i walk into my mansion, i was greeted by the silence of the empty halls. I walk to my study and pour myself a glass of whiskey, as i sit behind my desk.

I took a sip, feeling the burn of the liquor as it went down my throat.

My eyes wandered to the photo on my desk, a picture of me and Saline on our mating day.

I remembered the way she smiled, the way her eyes sparkled with happiness. My heart ached with longing, the pain of losing her is still fresh in my mind.

But now, she's back, reincarnated as a human, with no memory of our past.

I promise i will stop at nothing to make sure Mia is safe from any dangers that lurked around.

***

MIA MORENO

I approached my small, weathered house, the once white paint have faded to a dull gray.

I pushed the creaky front door, a faint smell of cooking oil and stale bread wafted out.

I walked through the gate and was surprised to see my mom sitting on the doorstep. “ Mom!” I exclaimed, rushing over to her.

“ You're back.” she forced a weak smile onto her face. “ Welcome home,” she said, her voice laced with a mix of relief and concern.

I sit down beside her, trying to read her expression. “What are you doing here?” I asked, sensing that something was off.

She hesitated before responding. “ I was waiting for you.”

I knew right away that she is lying, something is definitely wrong, but she didn't want to talk about it. So, i decided to play along, not wanting to push her into revealing more.

“ let's go inside then,” I said, standing up and pulling her to her feet.

As we entered the house, the aroma of cooked rice wafted through the air.

“i made dinner.” she said, trying to sound cheerful. “ Even though there's no side dishes.” she added.

I try to cheer her up with a smile. “ wow, it's rice! My favorite.” I plastered a smile on.

As we eat in silence, i can feel my mom's eyes on me. I knew she was trying to gauge my mood, to see if I was okay.

After eating, i cleared up the table. “ I'm going to bed mom, thanks for the dinner .” I said, giving mom a hug.

“ Goodnight, mom,” I said, trying to sound cheerful.

As i lay in bed, i couldn't shake off the thoughts of Asher Blackwood and his words. What did he meant by he needs my help? Even though he knew I am just a human, how did he even find out about me?.

The questions swirled in my head, keeping me awake for most of the night. I finally drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up with puffy eyes and a tired feeling.

I didn't get much sleep, thanks to Asher's sudden appearance in my life.

I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the fatigue because i have a feeling that today will be a long day.

“Mom!! ”

I frantically searched every room in the house, calling out for my mom, but there was only silence. “ Where could she be.” I said, before pulling out my cellphone to dial her number, i dial the call and hear a faint sound of ringing coming from the backyard.

My heart started racing, I followed the sound to the backyard, i suddenly meet with a sight that made my blood run cold.

My mom was laying unconscious on the floor, her body was cold.

“ Mom!!!” I screamed, rushing towards her, i dropped to knees beside her, my hands shaking as i called for help.

The next few hours was a blur, as we rushed my mom to the hospital.

I paced back and forth in front of the ward, my hands slick with sweat and my feet cold with fear.

Finally, the ward door opened, and a beautiful doctor stepped out. Her long, curly brown hair cascaded down her back, and her bright blue eyes sparkled with compass.

“ Doc, how's my mom? ” I asked, rushing towards her.

“ Let's talk in my office,” she said, her voice soft and gentle as she grab my hand.

I followed her to her office, my mind racing with questions. “ What's going on, Doc?” Did something bad happen to my mom? Is she fine? Can she be treated?”

The doctor throws me a sympathetic expression as she squeezed my hand. “ listen, your mom is fine, but...she has leukemia. It's still in the early stages, and wit surgery and medication, she'll be okay.”

I felt like have been punched in the gut. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as i stammered, “ L..leukemia?”

The doctor's grip on my hand tightly. “ we'll do everything we can to help your mom. But i need you to be strong for her, okay?"

I nodded, trying to process the news. Leukemia, the word echoed in my mind like a death sentence.

But i know i need to be strong for my mom. I took a deep breath, wiping away my tears.

“ What do we need to do?” I asked, my voice firm.

The doctor smiled, “ we'll start some tests and then discuss the treatment options. Let's just focus on getting your mom the best care possible.”

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over me.

I wiped away my tears with the back of my palm, trying to compose myself.

“ Start with the surgery, please, doctor.” I said, my voice shaking as i struggled to hold back my tears.

The doctor nodded sympathetically. “ I will, but you need to make a payment at the cashier first.”

I felt a pang of anxiety. “Right... money... how much, doctor?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

The doctor's expression turned somber. “ Three million euros, we will begin the surgery immediately after the payment.”

Three million euros? Where will i get that kind of money from, the thought echo in my head.

I took a deep breath and stepped out of the doctor's office, my mind racing with thoughts of how i am going to come up with that kind of money. I stop by my mom's room to visit her before leaving the hospital.

As i walked out, i felt like i was walking into a nightmare. The city streets seem to stretch out before me like a never ending road. I walked for hours, my mind consumed by the thought of my mom.

People passed by me on the street, their faces a blur as they murmured and point fingers at me. “ is she mad?” I heard someone say.

I felt like I'm losing my grip on reality.

I heard a familiar voice behind me, “ I see you need my help desperately,” Asher said, his voice low and smooth.

I turn to face him, my eyes welling up in tears. “How...?” I asked, my voice shaking.

Asher's eyes seems to bore into my soul as he gazed at me. “ you're ready for the deal, or not?” he sneered.

A deal with the Alpha? I will make a deal with the devil himself, if it means saving my mom.

I took a deep breath and nodded, my heat racing with anticipation.

“ I will accept your offer.” I said, my voice firm.

He smiled.

His smile was like a cold wind on a winter's night.

“ You'll help me track down valois.” he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. “ And in return, i will pay off your debt and give you the money you need for your mom's surgery.” he added bluntly.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as i gaze into Asher's eyes. I know I'm making a deal with a monster, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to save my mom.

I stand there, my chest constricting with every beat of my heart.

The pain was suffocating, a constant reminder of the weight of my secrets. Mia's tears fell like rain, but it was my heart that was bleeding.

“Great, your mom's hospital bills has been cleared off.” I said, my voice firm.

I turned before she could say a word and stumble into my car, feeling like i was running from my demons.

I know i need to do this, but a part of me wondered if i was making a terrible mistake. “ am i using Mia for the second time?” the words echo in my ears.

MIA MORENO

Mom was rushed into the surgery room, and i am pacing around anxiously in the waiting area.

The doctor said the surgery will last for fortyfive minutes, but forty five minutes felt like an eternity.

Finally, the doctor walk out with a warm smile.

“How did it go, doctor?” I asked, curious.

“the surgery went well, Mia.” She replied. “ Let's hope she gets up soon.” she added.

I nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. Mom was return to her ward, and i sit beside her, clinging to her hands tightly.

I drifted off to sleep beside mom's bed. I woke up the next morning, i met with a wonderful surprise. Mom's eyes were open, and she was staring at me with a weak but loving smile.

“Mom!” I exclaimed, joy flooding my heart.

I quickly run out of the ward to get a doctor, my heart race with excitement.

“My mom.. she's... awake.” I stammered.

The doctor rushed in with me, and after a few checks, she smiled. “ She's fine, Mia. After a few days, she can be discharged.”

I hug mom tightly, tears of joy streaming down my face.

Mom placed her hand on my head, and tears roll from her eyes as she gazed at me.

“Don't cry, mom.” I said, cleaning off her tears. “ Thank you for coming back to me.”

Just then, my phone beep.